Disclaimer: See the previous six chapters.

A/N: Oooh, this is fun to type! Read on, honey! Urg, my school lost the tournament for debating! But there was this really cute guy, so all's not lost. AND I DISCOVERED THAT MY FRIENDS HAVE DANIEL RADCLIFFE AND TOM FELTON'S NUMBERS! I'm serious. She even knows what day the damned boy got circumcised! Well, she called Daniel's #, and a grumpy old lady answered. But Daniel wasn't home.

Amazing how popularity can give out your personal info.

In this fic, I'll show you two POVs AT THE SAME TIME, SO Don't get galit at me, kay? Ang saya saya, 'di ba?

And did I forget to mention who has a sexy voice? OMG, I'm so sorry Alan! In my other chapters (I'm not sure) and in another story, I stated that Alan Rickman has a SEXY voice! (-~,) ~~~~~~ OOOH! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ hehehehehe…sorry! Thanks to all who review at every chapter! I love you pips. Well, I don't actually think that there have been any…but thanks anywayz!

DRACO

"Wake up, sleepy!" Hermione shook Draco awake. A thought came across Draco that she was really prettier this year, with her hazel hair, and lovely features.

He sat up, and glared at her. Then he smiled. "Happy Christmas."

"Happy Christmas to you too!" He tried to get up, but smiling, Hermione sat on top of his chest. He groaned. "What?"

"Close your eyes, m'dear," Hermione said angelically, "I have something to show you."

"All right then." She led Draco out his room, eyes placed gently over his silver eyes. On her face a was a mischievous grin, but of course Draco didn't see that.

"Can I open my eyes now?"

"Go ahead." Positively beaming, she let go of him. Draco gasped. Hermione had used magic to sheen the antique violin, and she'd also fixed the bow. It was floating in the air before them, and Draco finally spoke up.

"I-I-I god, thank you."

"Is that all you can say?"

Laughing, he pulled her into another hug, repeating words of gratitude over and over again. "Why did you do it though? And those things cost a fortune."

"I just wanted to repay you for your kindness, Draco. You've really helped me this year." He smiled again. It almost made Hermione's heart twinged, he looked so happy. Then she wondered if Draco had any real friends.

"Well, I'll go ahead and give my presents to the others, you go ahead. I also have other duties, so go ahead on breakfast," she said, sighing. "You go ahead to the hall, but I'll see you tonight."

"Yeah, go ahead."

HERMIONE

She looked at herself in the mirror for the twelfth time. "Are you sure I look alright?"

"Positive," Parvati replied. She was already wearing the clip Hermione'd given her.

They were in the Gryffindor Common Room, and Hermione was contemplating her dress robes with Parvati and Ginny. She'd told Draco that she'd meet him there.

Hermione's dress robes were a soft sheen of blue, almost lavender. They were made of satin, and came with a matching sash. Sewed-in-glitter slithered gently around the fabric. She'd done her hair in an elegant bun, her hair in thick curls at the back, and tendrils framing her face, giving her a soft, innocent look.

"Are you really sure?"

"Duh," Parvati said, "Look at yourself. But could you please tell me who the lucky devil is?"

"Yeah," Ginny urged, "Spill the slurpage."

Hermione closed her eyes. "Are you sure you want to know? We're not even near the Great Hall."

"Please?"

"We tell you everything!"

"It's Draco."

If you'd been passing the Gryffindor Common room, (which was thankfully empty save Parvati, Ginny, and Hermione) you would've thought someone was being murdered.

A lone scream erupted in the corridor.

"DRACO? DRACO? DRACO MALFOY? AAAAAAAAEEEEEEGGGGGGHHHHHHH-" Parvati was turning blue.

"PRAIA SHUT UP-"

"EEEEEEEEGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH-"

Hermione threw a pillow over Parvati's mouth. She started to calm down, but kept on hyperventilating. "Draco. Malfoy-" breathe " Is. Your. Date-"

"OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-" Hermione stuffed another pillow in Ginny's mouth.

"Friend."

"To. The." breathe "Ball. Your date." She pointed an accusing manicured finger at Hermione. "Why didn't you tell us?"

She raised her eyebrow. "I don't like my friends to gave seizures on Christmas day."

"I wasn't panicking," Ginny said innocently, batting her eyelashes.

"Oh……" Parvati seemed lost. "Why him? Why not Harry or even Ron?"

"I don't know, if you haven't noticed, they've been ignoring me just the tiniest bit for the past, oh, I dunno, three years?"

"But he's Draco Malfoy! Not that I'm saying he's horrible though…right?"

"Of course. He's changed this year."

"If he's hurting you…"

"Don't fret, he isn't."

Parvati smiled. "Alright then. Why do the cute ones always pick you?" Ginny asked. They linked arms and started to walk slowly towards the Great Hall.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, come of it, Herm," Parvati teased, "You haven't noticed at all?"

"Well, maybe I have. A bit. But it's not like I'll ever be his girlfriend or anything."

"There's a chance! Oooh, the next hottest guy besides George and Harry"

"Praia's right! There's a chance."

"But thanks for not freaking out," Hermione began, but she was cut short by Ginny.

"Not freaking out?"

"Oh, you know what I mean." Laughing, they finally arrived at the Great Hall.

DRACO

Hermione was enough to make Draco choke on thin air. Goyle looked, at him alarmed. "What's wrong, D-"

"Go and leave me alone for a while."

"Yes sir." Goyle and Crabbe's burly bodies retreated, probably to pig themselves out on plum chocolate cakes. He smiled, remembering their second year. Then his eyes averted once more to Hermione, as she walked in the hall.

Gods, isn't she beautiful tonight. The dress robes had done Hermione justice, hugging her curves in all the right places, but loose enough for plenty of movement. Draco was probably the only one who noticed that though, no heads had turned when she entered. Potter and Weasley had disappeared a long time ago, with their sluts.

He walked over to their table. "Hello, ladies." Parvati (or Padma?) giggled.

"Well, we've heard the news. Who would've thought the Prince of Slytherin would befriend a Gryffindor?"

He was relieved. "Don't ask me." Now, Draco wasn't on that friendly terms with Ginny, but she wasn't much for talking anyway, and he was all right with Praia, her sister was in Ravenclaw anyway. They chatted easily for a while.

While they were talking, Hermione kept on smiling and laughing, it made Draco feel good to hear those bells again.

He turned and looked around. All the houses had gone, but not too many Slytherins were there. Their table was way in the back, and that helped also.

"How long do you think it would take people to notice?" he asked them.

Ginny waved her hand. "Who cares about what they think? If anyone comes over, just pretend you're torturing us. Or something you'd normally do, like talk about your father?"

Draco laughed, hollowly. "That's the last thing I want to talk about." Then he stood up. "I'll get drinks."

After he left, Hermione also got up. "I need to get a bit of air. Want to come with?"

"We'll wait here, for Draco. Go ahead."

She smiled at them, and left the Hall. Hermione almost went out, but she could hear suspicious sounds coming from the garden, so she headed towards the lake. There, moonlight cast soft glows upon the lake, gentle waves crawled towards the shore, fading into the sands. She wasn't that far away from the ball, so sweet music lingered in the air. The night breeze blew gently around her, playing with her hair.

"Hey, I was looking for you." She turned around, finding Draco standing there, his blond hair perfectly blown into place, handsome, angular face in an expression that was neither cold, or happy. He flashed another mysterious smile.

"Really? I didn't think anybody would miss me," she murmured, gazing at the lake.

Draco got something out of his pocket, a beautiful sapphire necklace, chiseled in the shape of a small phoenix. It happened to be Hermione's favorite kind of bird.

"Happy Christmas Hermione."

She gasped in delight, saying thank you's over and over again while she hugged him briefly. Almost like this morning. "It's so beautiful, but I wasn't really expecting a gift from you, you know."

"I thought so. Here, let me put it on for you." She lifted her hair, and let Draco place his hands around her neck, sliding the clasps of the necklace together. The music slowly melted into a slow dance.

He placed his hands on her hips, oblivious to the fact that Hermione shivered when he did so. "May I have this dance?"

She in turn placed two slender arms behind his head., drawing their hips together. "I'd love you to." The swayed gently in time to the music, and Hermione placed her head on his shoulder. "Why are you doing all this?" she whispered into his ear, making him shiver slightly.

"Doing what?"

"You have to admit it, you've changed this year, you're so much nicer to me, me of all people, and you've helped me so much this year, but why?"

Draco paused, and gazed into Hermione's eyes, feeling that he could drown in those hazel pools. "Because I knew you weren't such a know-it-all beneath your skin, and that you weren't as obnoxious, horrible and mean as I thought for the past seven years, and that you are a kind, wonderful person that I enjoy spending my time with. I like you for that. I've never really had anyone during my whole stay at Hogwarts, only you seemed to stand out."

The music had stopped, but Hermione's hands were still around Draco, and his hands were still gently on her hips, looking into each other's eyes. She could feel Draco's warm breath, her face was only an inch away, he seemed to be gazing at her, and suddenly, his lips were placed gently, in an inquisitive way upon hers. She almost let out a cry of surprise, but was soon enveloped in a hazy oblivion, his lips were warm, and cool hands found their way to the back of her head, running slender fingers through her hair.

His lips parted slowly from Hermione's as she whimpered faintly, not wanting to end the kiss. Draco placed his lips gently upon hers for a second time, and then ended.

Hermione rested her head against Draco's forehead for a while, not wanting to break the comfortable silence. Then she spoke up. "That was a nice thank you."

Draco smiled at her, his silver eyes still a breath away from her hazel pools. "You're welcome."

A/N: Well?